Busy Anderson keeping Senators close to playoff spot

For the 30th time in 36 games, Craig Anderson will start in goal for the Ottawa Senators Friday against the New Jersey Devils.

And once again, as the shots pile up one on top of the other, the question will be asked: where would the Senators be without Anderson’s return to form this season?

Anderson has seen 1,070 shots already, the only NHL goaltender to hit the four-figure mark this season.

You can crunch the basic numbers or you can go into deep analytics on the topic. Whatever method you choose, it all adds up the same conclusion: Without Anderson, the Senators would find themselves running with the Devils – or even a rung below the Devils – in the Eastern Conference basement.

We’ll get back to a breakdown of Anderson’s work and the slumping Devils goaltending in a moment, but at the risk of being too simplistic, the clubs have adopted a similar philosophy.

They are both low-budget teams hoping that a profound youth movement – combined with solid goaltending – can keep them competitive.

The Senators rank 25th in salary cap payroll and the Devils sit 30th, ahead of only the Carolina Hurricanes.

A year ago, the surprising Devils stayed afloat thanks to the leadership of veteran winger Taylor Hall – who went on to win the Hart Trophy as league MVP – and the group of youngsters that kept turning heads. The (Will) Butcher, the (Nico) Hischier and the other first-year candlestick makers (Jesper Bratt and Blake Coleman) combined for 51 goals and 105 assists.

Now, over to the current Senators, who continue to hang around, on the cusp of playoff contention.

The Senators have stayed afloat thanks to the leadership of veteran winger Mark Stone (with a notable assist from centre Matt Duchene) and the group of youngsters that keep turning heads. Led by Colin White, Brady Tkachuk and Max Lajoie, Senators rookies have combined for a league-high 31 goals and 36 assists through 35 games.

Ottawa Senators defenceman Thomas Chabot looks to keep the puck under pressure from Boston Bruins right wing David Backes during first period NHL hockey action in Ottawa on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018.Fred Chartrand /
THE CANADIAN PRESS

After 21-year-old Thomas Chabot moved back into a tie for the league scoring lead among defenceman with his overtime winner Monday against the Nashville Predators, the Senators head into the weekend with renewed hope.

Player after player praised their goaltender for his work. It was a relatively easy night for Anderson, who faced 37 shots against the Predators, one shy of the Senators’ league-high average of 38.0 shots against per game.

Next up on the shot clock? The Anaheim Ducks, who have yielded 34.8 per game. The NHL average is 31.3 shots against per contest.

Not all shots are created equal, of course, but the Senators have faced extended spells inside their own end most nights, struggling to alleviate pressure.

They’ve only outshot their opponents nine times – in only one-quarter of their games.

Phillip Danault of the Montreal Canadiens battles for the puck against Drake Batherson of the Ottawa Senators as Christian Jaros and Craig Anderson of the Ottawa Senators defend the net in the first period at Canadian Tire Centre on December 6, 2018 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photo /
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In the games Anderson has faced 35 or more shots, the Senators own a record of 7-7-3. Overall, Anderson has a record of 14-12-3, with a 3.49 goals against average and .907 save percentage.

Don’t be fooled by the latter two numbers, which are at or below the NHL average, but as the Senators continue to hope their youngest defencemen mature into consistent players night after night, they remain on pace to set records for shots allowed in a season.

It’s open to debate about just how many points Anderson has stolen for the team along the way, but it’s certainly at least five points, the gap that separates the Senators from the Devils.

New Jersey employed both Keith Kincaid and rookie Mackenzie Blackwood in goal in Tuesday’s 7-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

New Jersey Devils Travis Zajac celebrates his goal as Ottawa Senators Cody Ceci looks on during first period NHL action in Ottawa, Tuesday, February 6, 2018.Fred Chartrand /
THE CANADIAN PRESS

All the Devils problems can’t be laid at the feet of Kincaid, of course. But after posting an impressive 26-10-3 mark last season, along with a .913 save percentage, Kincaid has won only 11 of 26 decisions this season, while his save percentage has dipped to .902.

Kincaid has had little back-up support.

Cory Schneider, who took over the Devils net from Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur, has had a year to forget.

There are no wins to remember. His last victory came last Dec. 27. After beginning the 2018-19 season with an 0-5-1 record, 4.66 goals against average and an .852 save percentage, he’s currently on the sidelines with an abdominal injury.

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